Calendar of the Moon
16 Beth/Poseideion

Dionysia Agrous II: Askolia

Color: Purple
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a purple cloth set a five purple candles, a wreath of grapevines, a jar of wine, a basket of raisins, the figure of a goat, and the figure of an erect phallus, wound with ivy.
Offerings: Wine libations, and a comedic mystery play to be presented to guests invited in.
Daily Meal: A fine lunch for guests, with wine and Greek food.

Askolia Invocation

Hail Dionysos, Lord of Theater!
For as the world is a stage,
So the stage is the smaller world,
And upon it we may witness your miracles.
May our minds be broadened
And our souls touched
By what we do witness here.
Hail, Dionysos, Lord of Sacrifice!
May our offering by taken kindly
In the spirit in which it is given.

Chant: Io Dionysos Io Dionysos

(This invocation serves as the opening to a comedic mystery play, to be presented to a group of invited guests. Its subject matter can be variable, although The Bacchae is always appropriate. Afterwards, the basket of raisins and the jug of wine is again passed, and libations made.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]